Tips on soldering slip joint on vertical pipe?

I recently soldered a slip joint on a drainage pipe for a p/t valve on a water heater. I pushed the slip joint up from below. When I soldered the bottom of the slip joint first I had a hard time getting the solder to draw in because I think the slip joint squeegeed the flux upward.
Any tips on how to do this better in case I do this with pipe with water pressure? I've seen a plumber do this when replacing one of our outside shutoff valves, I remembered he worked pretty fast.

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Tips on soldering slip joint on vertical pipe?

Quote:

Originally Posted by darsunt

I recently soldered a slip joint on a drainage pipe for a p/t valve on a water heater. I pushed the slip joint up from below. When I soldered the bottom of the slip joint first I had a hard time getting the solder to draw in because I think the slip joint squeegeed the flux upward.
Any tips on how to do this better in case I do this with pipe with water pressure? I've seen a plumber do this when replacing one of our outside shutoff valves, I remembered he worked pretty fast.

I doubt the flux was an issue unless you wiped it off with your hand.
Most people use too much flux- it only takes a film layer. Probably not enough heat on the fitting
When soldering vertical, I heat and solder the top half first. Then a little heat at the bottom cup. Touch the solder to it and it will suck in by capillary action- solder is pulled to the heat. It also follows flux- like the ugly runs down a vertical pipe

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